When I woke I saw it was dark, and I was laid in my bed again with a cold cloth on my forehead. Dorian was sleeping on the small couch across the room, his legs hanging off he was so tall. The curtains seemed to have been doubled, and drawn shut though I could see the sunlight reflecting on the floor.
"Your highness?" I whispered as I sat up slowly in the bed. Dorian's eyes flashed open instantly as he turned his head to look at me. Relief flashed across his face. "How long have I been asleep?" I mumbled
"About two and a half days." He said back his voice deep and hoarse from just waking up causing my heart to do a strange flip.
"You should have told me it was that serious with the sun. I would have never taken you outside." He was standing now walking to my bed and sitting in the chair next to it. Dark blue tired eyes looked me over as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair making it stick up worse than it already was. His once smooth face now had stubble.
"It has been a long time since it has happened. I just think I was tired to begin with." I looked away, not able to handle the intense look his eyes were giving me. "You stayed here the whole time?"
"Sirona said someone needed to be here with you. I volunteered,"
Not sure what to say after that we sat in silence as I awkwardly played with the cloth that was once in my head.
"You are not a creature or a collection."
My hands stopped moving as I looked up at him. His eyes were sincere, his face not showing any hint of a lie.
"I did not know about having to prove consummation. I was told about it right before you entered the ballroom the other day. As for me calling you a creature, I didn't mean it in an offensive way."
Slowly he lightly touched my fingers with his sending a chill down my spine.
"I think you are the most beautiful being I have ever seen. Trying to get words to describe you would not come to me and I used the word creature and I should not have."
It was hard to look into his eyes with how deeply he was staring into mine. I was not sure if I wanted to believe him or not. My heart thundered in my chest, my hands shaking under his as I could feel myself being drawn into his dark blue eyes.
"Sirona, and the other ladies are searching everywhere to find out what you are."
"What I am, I told you I am human." I mumbled.
"I wish I could say that was true. When I carried you here, it was like your body was so hot it burned me." he reached out his hands and i noticed the slightly pink scars on his palms and fingers. "Your family is here, when we asked them they had no answers for us just sat silently." he frowned standing
"I am sure they want to see you. I will let them in."
"Thank you." I whispered, not able to look at him.
After about five or ten minutes my grandmother and mother came rushing in. I figured my grandfather was working since he was here in the palace. They came over hugging me and looking me over to make sure I was okay.
"What were you thinking? You know what the sun does to you." my mother smoother my hair down, her face creased with worry."
"Mama, I am okay." I whispered looking between the two of them "You need to tell me what I am. I hurt him"
They shared a look and I knew they were hiding something. My grandmother nodded her head placing a comforting hand on my mothers shoulder who looked ready to cry.
"When your father and I became pregnant with you, I hoped you would be a boy." My mother took my hand in hers. "I was beyond happy when you were born, but I knew you would be cursed with a life you wouldnt understand, just like me and your grandmother."
My eyes widened, as I looked between the two of them too stunned to speak. They didn't look like me, both had dark hair and dark eyes, though my grandmother's hair was graying now. Both could go out during the day with no issues and they were not ridiculed.
"The story of the witch is partially true, however she was not cursed to stay on the moon. She was cursed to be bound to a living soul." my grandmother sighed, closing her eyes as if trying to remember.
"We come from a very ancient family, much like the royal family does. The witch lived in a village draining the men of their souls so she could stay young and live forever. When she killed the husband of our ancestor she decided to get revenge. She hired assassins to kill the witch, but even slitting her throat would not harm her; she would just heal and kill more."
My grandmother went on to tell me how our ancestors researched and studied witchcraft. Not knowing she was pregnant with her dead husband's child she tried to curse the witch, only for it to backfire. What she had planned was to trap the witch inside her body and then take her own life ending the witch's life as well. As she finished the spell and the witch's soul slowly left her body, the last word she said was that her daughter and her daughter's, daughter's would be cursed to live a life of solitude and loneliness. When the witch was dead, the village celebrated the woman who did it.
Then her daughter was born, snow white hair, silver blue eyes and pale skin. Everyone in the village believed she was cursed, that the witch would come back to kill them all for what the woman had done to her. Now the women are cursed to have daughters where the witch's soul attaches to them, though the witch is gone she can drain energy, the only source she can get it from is the sun, heating up the host's body trying to escape. Throughout the years the features of the witch stopped coming through making it easier for the women to live and find husbands. Until me.
"So I am a witch like they say then." I whispered
"No Aylin." my mother squeezed my hands "You are a protector you, keep the witch at bay so that she can not harm anyone else. Your father and grandfather, and our family has looked for years for a way to reverse it. The only solution we can find just isn't possible."
"No one thought to just die of old age and not have kids?" I frowned thinking that as the obvious answer.
"If only it were that easy. The spell she used, you have to take your own life." my grandmother frowned.
"That is why we never told you. You had it harder than the rest of us, we just did not want you to." my mother trailed off, wiping her eyes quickly to catch the tears that were falling.
"To kill myself." I finished her sentence for her, my mind flashing to all the times that I thought of doing just that to end my misery not thinking it would end a curse.
Before they could say anything else there was a knock on the door and then Nina walked Nina, the lady I had yet to meet personally.
"Dorian sent me to get you, said there is someone important you must meet." her voice was monotone and you could tell she was not interested in speaking to me at all. I frowned but nodded, going to stand out of bed when I noticed I was naked and felt my body feel like it was on fire as I blushed hoping it was not the prince who had stripped me of my clothing.
My mother and grandmother immediately went to find me clothes while Nina just stood there waiting for me to dress, they let my hair down in waves using a simple gold headband to keep it from my face. The dress I wore was silver silk, a very simple slip dress. I felt almost naked in it considering it showed my neck and arms and almost my whole back. I noticed though that it was hot in the palace which is why they probably chose the simple gown.
Walking through the palace was not very comfortable. It seemed whatever had happened the other day with me had spread, the servants we passed and the knights all whispered as we walked by.
"You seemed to make an impression." Nina said her glare she sent anyone staring made them turn away quickly.
"I am sorry, I didn't mean to make a commotion." I whispered back my gaze going to the floor.
"Most don't know what to think of you. I am one of them. As the king said Dorian and the Queen have a thing for collecting. I have yet to decide if that's what we all are."
"How long have you been here?"
"Dorian and his army found me when I was about thirteen. His men wanted to use me." She did not have to elaborate. I knew what she meant. "The prince killed his own men when they tried to touch me. Not until after I told them all how they would die."
I nodded, figuring that is how the prince knew she was a psychic.
"I found you for him." She looked at me. I'm sure my face seemed confused and shocked. "When he was to pick a bride he came to me. Asked me to look and see who it was meant to be. I saw you the day he found you, except I saw how it really ended if he didnt make it to you. The prince saved your life."
That was all she said as she stopped and opened a door where I could hear the prince's voice as well as a girl's voice. I didn't have time to really think about what Nina had said, she had already turned and left the room leaving me to lay eyes on the prince sitting on the edge of a beautiful girl's bed. I felt as if I was interrupting a moment with how he looked at her with such affection.
"Ah Lady Aylin, join us please." Dorian stood as I bowed to him.
"This is her? Oh how beautiful brother!" the girl exclaimed smiling wide
"Yes she is, she will be a good bride." he smiled at the girl before pulling a seat up "Please sit."
"Lady Aylin, I am Princess Delila." she reached her hand out and I reached to take it hesitating a moment when I saw what looked like burns on her hand. "I have been waiting to meet you since my brother said he was going to find you in the village.
"It is a pleasure Princess." I smiled as I took a seat.
Dorian sat again on the edge of the bed taking his sister's hand, his eyes soft as he looked at her. They started talking about when they were kids, she seemed to enjoy telling stories that embarrassed her older brother. I found that I enjoyed his laugh and how it reached his eyes, making them crinkle at the sides.
"So I hear you are a witch?" Delila said, causing me to choke on the tea that someone had brought in.
"Delila!" Dorian scolded causing her to wave him off.
"Well recently I found out that I hold a witch in me, but I myself am not a witch." I made eye contact with Dorian hoping my eyes told him I would tell him later.
"That is amazing! Must mean you are so strong!" As she finished her sentence she started coughing uncontrollably causing Dorian to jump, taking her tea and helping her drink some. "I am okay brother."
"We have stayed to long, you rest." he stood pulling me to my feet
"No! I wasn't done talking to her!" she started coughing again.
"Don't worry I will come visit again soon." I smiled leaning down to kiss her cheek softly, "You rest for now."
Delila nodded laying down in the bed as Dorian pulled the blankets up around her then set a book next to her on the bed whispering something in her ear.
When we left the room we walked in silence for a long time before he opened another door that led up a spiral staircase. The climb felt as though it was forever until we entered another bed chamber. I frowned, not really sure what to think. On one side of the room was a desk covered in papers and books, as well as shelves of books covering the wall behind it. The bed sat in the middle of the room against the wall, the sheets disheveled, I noticed the curtains on the far side of the room were doubled up as well as drawn shut as if he knew I would be coming up to here. I crossed my arms as I froze, not wanting to walk further into the room. I watched as he kicked off his boots and the belt with his weapons was taken off as well before he turned to me and froze himself.
"Aylin, I am sorry, I didnt even think this would be strange to you." He held his hands up in the surrender pose like he did the night he found me and then sat on the bed gesturing across from him to the sitting area that was closer to the balcony. As I sat down he stood going to the wardrobe by his bed hanging up the cape he had on as well as the vest leaving him in a simple shirt and pants.
"If you do not mind me asking, what happened to your sister?" I whispered looking around the room as he came to sit on the couch next to me relaxing back into it with a long breath. I watched as his entire body seemed to relax.
"When the war was happening, my mother and sister were the only royals living in the palace at the time. My father and I had left to go visit the camp nearby. Some rebels had gotten through the defense and into the palace, locking my sister and pregnant mother up in a room before they did things to them, things that were." he sighed his voice thick with emotion as his body tensed up again "I am sure you can imagine."
"Yes. I can."
"By the time we had gotten word of what happened, and reached here my mother had gone into early labor, the baby not making it. And my sister had been locked in a room alone where the room was set on fire. They had hoped to burn her alive. I suppose they didn't realize her big brother was willing to die for her."
I sucked in a breath when he showed me matching burns on his right arm.
"Unfortunately, we couldn't heal her lungs. Even when we found Sirona the scar tissue was too great. She is eighteen now and they don't see her lungs being able to survive to her nineteenth birthday. She can't leave her room, or walk around." he cleared his throat and looked over at me and I could see how sad his eyes were. "Now, what is this business about you being a holder of a witch?"
Knowing not to push the topic of his sister by how fast he changed it I nodded and continued to tell him what my family had explained to me not too long before Nina had got me. He listened intently, his jaw clenching when I said taking my life would end the curse, how it would continue to go to my daughter whenever I had her.
"I will have my most trusted men and women search for a way to fix it. Even if I have to search my whole life we will be sure to find a solution."
"You understand then, that your heir will be cursed with this? Or that I may already have a child in my womb cursed with this?" I whispered my stomach churning with the thought that I may already be with child, but also with the thought that it will be passed down.
"Any child you have is my heir. Even then they will be born royal, and will be protected. I also expressed to my mother how fast the wedding needs to occur, your mother and grandmother have already altered my mothers wedding dress for you, and picked out your favorite flowers and such for it."
I took in a shaky breath as it hit me again that my future was with this man that I hardly knew. I wiped a tear that fell quickly not wanting him to see.
"I am sorry, I had hoped we wouldn't have to rush but those men." he frowned, taking my chin and turning my head to look at him gently as more tears fell from my eyes. "I tried finding you before that happened, I wasn't fast enough. I knew I should've just rode my horse but Nina can never tell a date for sure she just sees the future and she for some reason knew you were my future."
"She said she saw my death that night, I suppose I owe you a thank you since I am still alive." I sniffled, wiping my eyes again "Tomorrow then." I said quickly causing him to frown
"What about tomorrow?"
"The wedding needs to be tomorrow. I don't want to have to keep thinking about it and what happens afterward. I just need it to be done with."
With a nod he stood going to his desk and writing something out before sealing it with his wax seal. He left the room then walked down the steps leaving me alone to look around the room. It was simple though large. I wished I could look off the balcony but I knew the sun was still shining. I could see it reflecting on the floor under the curtains. Standing my hands rubbed over the silk sheets of the bed, my mind going to what will happen tomorrow night. The first time with my husband being watched by strangers.
"Aylin? You okay?"
I jumped, turning to see Dorian standing in the doorway with a worried look on his face.
"I was just thinking about what happens after the wedding."
As he walked closer the concern on his face didn't leave. He sat on the bed still not getting too close to me as if he knew to keep his distance.
"Have you ever…" I trailed off my face flushing as I looked to the bed and then to him hoping I wouldn't have to say the words. I knew there was no way he was a virgin still. He was a good looking man who had been to war, I heard the stories of how the men stopped in pubs finding women to bed.
"I have had a woman in bed yes." he whispered "Multiple if I am being honest."
I took a deep breath, my heart racing as I chewed my lower lip trying to pick my next words carefully, my body starting to shake.
"Aylin?" he whispered, going to take my hand only for me to snatch it away.
"Sorry," I mumbled, setting my hand on his gently, my fingers still trembling. "I do not wish for my first time with you to be watched." I looked into his confused dark blue eyes.
"I have no control over that, I told you."
"No." I cut him off "Here, now." I said my heart was pumping blood so hard I could hear it rushing in my ears as well as the heat of my blush spreading across my body. "I have no control over anything with this wedding, not really anyway but this right now I can have a say."
He frowned as his eyes looked over my face. His cheeks too had become slightly flush as his eyes flashed down my body, my dress hiding very little considering it was just a thin silk slip dress. My cleavage was showing slightly and I knew he could remember what my breast looked like from the other night.
"Is that really what you want?"
"No, I don't want to be touched by another man for a very long time, but at least hopefully I can try and think of this on the wedding night."
He was silent, his eyes looking into mine before he gave a small nod. Standing he untucked his shirt before pulling it over his head. His abdomen was covered in scars as well as his arms. He made no movement toward me though just sat back down on the bed taking a deep breath.
"Take your time, I won't touch you unless you want me to."
I tried to copy his calm breathing as I reached my shaky hand out caressing his chest, taking my time and tracing the faint pink scars that littered it. I was compelled to ask about every little scar, before cupping his cheek leaning closer until I could feel his warm breath on my lips. My mind flashed back to the men from before, remembering his hot breath on me.
"We don't have to Aylin." he whispered, his breath smelled of the tea we had been drinking before instead of the Ale the man's breath had smelled like. I opened my eyes looking directly into his before letting my lips brush against his slightly. I could see in his eyes he was restraining himself from closing the distance fully. Taking another shaky breath I closed the distance my lips captured his, causing him to moan slightly, his eyes closing. His lips moved ever so slightly keeping the movement soft and gentle as I started to follow along kissing him back, my arms laying on his shoulders before I pulled away my breathing labored as I tried to push the nauseous feeling down.
"Let's stop." he whispered but I just shook my head.
I stood pulling my dress up so that I could straddle him, taking his hands gently and placing them on my thighs, his warm hands relaxing me slightly as I kissed him again, letting my hand wander over his chest slowly. Trying to keep the images of all the other men out of my head. The prince's thumbs rubbed circles on my thighs as though he was trying to occupy his hands from moving. I could feel that he was enjoying himself, whenever he shifted slightly his member poked the inside of one of my thighs, his breathing getting more labored.
Slowly I pulled away from him, meeting his eyes again, tracing my hand down his arms before grabbing his hand and moving it under my bunched dress placing it at my center.
"Touch me." I whispered my voice hoarse, my body still trembling. A groan left his mouth as he leaned his head onto my collar bone, he hesitated his breathing coming out in little puffs brushing across the bare skin of my neck. His hand cupped me though the undergarments I still wore. I felt the tears well in my eyes and the stomach bile rise in my throat but didn't make him stop as he started moving his hand. I shut my eyes trying to breathe evenly, taking in his woodsy scent. It was easier to push the other men out of my thoughts when I remembered they never smelled this good, Dorian smelled of the outdoors but also of a fresh soap. A moan escaped my mouth when the palm of his hand rubbed against me sending shivers down my spine. My body felt as though it was on fire with how he was starting to make me feel. My body became still when I felt his warm lips press a kiss into my collar bone.
"Sorry." he mumbled moving so that he could look into my eyes, his fingers teasing the edges of my undergarment as I gave him a small nod.
"It's okay." I whispered
Dorian searched my face as he moved the undergarment aside his fingers finding my slick folds easily. My nails dug into his arms waiting for the pain I always felt when a man did this to me but it never came. When he entered his fingers he was slow and gentle, his thumb rubbing the small bundle of nerves making my muscles relax. The more my body relaxed the better the motions he made with his finger felt. I could feel heat rushing over my skin as I clenched around him, my nails digging tighter as he started moving faster, his lips brushing my collar bone again. I felt my toes curl and my legs shake, a moan leaving my mouth, my breath coming out in short pants. He stopped moving as I slumped against him trying to wrap my brain around the pleasure he had just given me before I decided to continue.
I reached between us untying the ties on his pants shocked when his member basically sprang out at me when I did so. My face was on fire as I looked into his eyes again. I could see the lust in them, even then he was still and patient waiting for me to decide if I wanted to continue. I swallowed thickly before raising myself up on my knees and lining his member up with my center before plunging down quickly a pained cry leaving my lips mixed with his moan. His hands were on my thighs again as if trying to steady me, our foreheads resting together as we both were panting.
"We can stop." He groaned "We should stop." I knew he didn't want to by the way he was clenching his jaw, and how he throbbed inside me. Yet he didn't move, patiently he looked into my eyes waiting for me to decide what I wanted his body shaking as he resisted the urge to move inside me.
"No. I want to continue." I whispered
Slowly I moved, raising my body so he slid out of me before coming back down again. I continued going slowly, willing my brain to focus on movements acting as though this man wasn't touching me. Wasn't inside me. I felt tears drip from my eyes onto his face causing his eyes to open and stare at me. Before he could speak I shook my head no and continued to move my body, my fingers finding their way to his shoulders, my nails again leaving marks on his skin. Dorian's arm wrapped around my waist, loose enough that I wasn't trapped but tight enough to help support my movements, as the other reached between us his fingers finding that nerve again sending jolts down to my toes.
Our pace started to pick up, my body starting to feel pleasure. Briefly all I could think about was how good I currently felt, how this is how my first time should've happened. At Least with a semi-decent human being. I buried my face into his neck as he started moving with both of us on the edge. He started to moan and grunt more as he thrust into me, falling back onto the bed so that I was fully laying on him. Both his hands are now gripping the backs of my thighs. I felt my body tense up with the toe curling pleasure again a deep moan leaving my mouth as I heard him curse his member pulsing inside of me.
More tears fell from my eyes as we laid there in silence. My body started to shake as I started to sob.
"Damnit." He whispered before struggling to sit up, fixing my dress and cradling me against his chest.
"Aylin it's okay, I'm sorry, I should've stopped. I knew it was too much." He whispered as he smoothed my hair down.
"No, it was perfect." I sobbed my hands covering my face "I wish this was how it happened the first time. Instead of in dirt under a man who smelled of ale." I cried as he held me tighter to him.
Years I was used by the men of the village, and never told a soul. I was lucky in a sense I never became pregnant. Now all I could feel was the hate for those men, and how they robbed me of something like this. All I wanted to do was wash Dorian off me even now as he held me sobbing and I knew that was stupid. Sobbing harder when I realized I probably would never feel normal after acts like this. Even when he was my husband.
I felt myself moving as he laid me on the bed covering me gently with the silk sheet smoothing my hair away from my tear stained face. No words left his mouth, he just sat next to me until finally my tears were dry and I felt I was drifting to sleep.
"I wish this was how it happened for you too." He whispered just as I drifted to sleep.